Where to Drink During NYC Craft Beer Week

The world of craft beer descends on the Big Apple this coming week for its annual New York City Craft Beer Week. From tap takeovers and pairing dinners to an afternoon feast of beer and pork, the 9-day festival features over 100 events for local hopheads. To help cut the clutter, we've picked our top 10 not-to-miss events of NYC Craft Beer Week so you can find the best beers this side of the Hudson River.

Friday (February 22)

Singlecut Beersmiths Tap Takeover and Beer Diner7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
New Queens brewery Singlecut Beersmiths has been taking New York by storm with their hop-forward ales and crisp, clean lagers. Tonight they take over the taps at Alewife NYC. We recommend you seek out their 18 Watt IPA, a balanced, sessionable, IPA with bright citrus character. And for those looking to make a night of it, there is an optional 5-course beer-pairing dinner available. Alewife, 5-14 51st Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101; pay as you go, or buy dinner tickets

Local Brewery Night3 p.m. to late
NYC beer week, at its core, is about drinking the best local brews the city has to offer, and this event is a great opportunity to explore the breath of the Empire State's offerings. 11 of the state's breweries will be represented including Kelso, Greenport Harbor, Ommegang and more. Aside from the sold-out NYC Craft Beer Week Opening Night party, this is the best way to try a variety of local beers Friday night. Pay as you go. One Mile House, 10 Delancey Street, New York, NY 10002; More Info

Saturday (February 23)

7th Williamsburg Cask Beer Festival1 p.m. to late
While Hurricane Sandy may have postponed this annual celebration of cask-conditioned, "real ale", the Williamsburg Cask Beer Festival is back this weekend with 15 rare and interesting beers served over a four day period. Pay as you go. d.b.a. Brooklyn. 113 North 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249; event flyer

Take A Peek At Peekskill Brewery3 p.m. to late
Jeff "Chief" O'Neil made a name for himself crafting some of the East Coast's best beers at Ithaca Brewing Company. But the man behind such classic brews as Flower Power and Le Bleu has recently taken helm at The Peakskill Brewery, where he has been churning out everything from sour ales to double IPAs. Be one of the first to try his new creations at tonight's coming-out party for the brewery. Pay as you go. Third Avenue Ale House, 644 Third Avenue New York, NY 10024; event website

Monday (February 25)

Ladies' Choice7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Beer sommelier Hayley Jensen pours drafts selected by local female brewers and brewery reps tonight as ladies of the brewing industry gather to network, get inspired, and share their favorite brews. Everyone is welcome (including men) so stop by and support the woman of New York craft beer. Pay as you go. Taproom 307, 07 3rd Avenue New York, NY 10010; More info.

Wednesday (February 27)

Brewer's Choice6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This pairing event features over twenty brewmasters pouring their beer alongside local provisions and pairings from local chefs including Bobolink Farms, Mile End Deli, Jimmy's No. 43 and more. Brewers in attendance include local heavyweights such Brooklyn Brewery, Captain Lawrence, and Sixpoint Craft Ales, alongside the city's new guard of brewers such as Carton Brewing, Empire Brewing, Peakskill, and 508 Gastrobrewery. $60 City Winery, 155 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 718-486-8232; Purchase tickets and check out the full list of brewers.

Thursday (February 28)

Bridge and Tunnel Beer Night4 p.m. to late
Essentially the anti-Craft Beer Week event, Barcade Jersey City hosts and evening dedicated to breweries not available in New York. Take a break from Empire State brews and enjoy drafts from Lost Abbey, Port, Kane, Great Lakes, Bolero Snort and more. Pay as you go. Barcade Jersey City, 163 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ; More info and complete brewery list.

Saturday (March 2)

aPORKalypse Now12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
NYC chefs take on 10 heritage pigs at the second iteration of this pork and craft beer festival. Local craft beers will be pouring freely to pair with the divine swine, including rare brews from Bronx Brewery and Empire along with favorites from Captain Lawrence, Blind Bat, Sixpoint and more. Check out our coverage from last year.Alewife, 5-14 51st Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101; 718-937-7494; $40 tickets

Split Thy Skull XIV11 a.m. to late
The grandaddy of big beer festivals in NYC, Split Thy Skull fills two days with barleywines, imperial stouts, and other slow-sippers in the double-digit ABV range—including several rare and aged kegs. Arrive early to grab a table and some brunch or show up late to swap tales with old-timers who have been going to Skull for over a decade. Pay as you go. Mug's Ale House, 125 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718-486-8232; View the list

Sunday (March 3)

NYC Beer Week Closing Party12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Close down craft beer week by pairing beers from the NYC Brewers Guild with bites from La Birreria's lunch menu. It's pay as you go, but be sure to make a reservation if you want a table. La Birreria at Eataly, 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY; 212-937-8910; make a reservation

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